Top Coating Plastic Cranks

[basscatcher8]

Ok I just got a paashe syphon feed and airbrush city gravity feed airbrushes as gifts for christmas. I also got some unpainted plastic crankbait bodies from janns netcraft.

Now i have looked all over the net and found 100 different answers to this question so Im gonna look for the best one to keep cranks looking good for awhile.

What do you use to topcoat a plastic crank? I use devcon 2 ton on everything else but have seen people such as BIGM say it will ruin a plastic baits action...What else can i use? will krylon clear coat work?

Thanks for any information guys.

[Hookemdown.]

The devcon can be too thick (i.e. heavy) and effect the baits action.

A guy from TU recommended Rustoleum Lacquer.  I think he said he uses 3 coats.  

[BIG M]

I use Minwax polyurathane ultra clear and spray 5 coats.  It is not as durable as devcon but holds up pretty good.   I would guess any of the spray on urathanes will work, just do a test piece to make sure there not bad reaction with the paint.

I want to see some finished lures.

[ernel]

I still use Devcon on the plastic lures. The only difference is that I will thin the Devcon before using it on a plastic lure.    I use 2 thinned coats and have not had any adverse reaction or noticable loss of action.  I am however interested and will be trying the Dick Nite's lure coat on a few in the next few days.

Eric

[BIG M]

I've never tried thinning the devcon and don't know very much about the process.

I would like to try Dick Nite's coat but it puts off some foul fumes and I do my finish work in the house.  

There is another 1 part clear being used by some.  It's called Top Secret and I've heard some good reviews, but I don't know if it has the killer smell.  It is a 1 part epoxy marine coating, I have been itching to buy some to try out.

[ernel]

Big M I use denatured alcohol as my thinning agent. Mix the epoxy as normal, then thin with 5-6 drops of alcohol. Check the consistancy, it should be a little thicker than a lacquer or urethane clear coat  

[basscatcher8]

I want to see some finished lures.

lol no problem big m i was playing around with the brush yesterday and turned out a desent blue gill for me first time ever using an airbrush. Ill have to finish it up and post a pic.

Thanks for your replies guys ill run to walmart soon and see what i can find for Rustoleum laquer, or miniwax polyurathane. I thought about thinned out devcon but it sounded like a complicated process. And i had heard that dick nites had turned some guys lures to different colors once the put it on.

[ernel]

i had heard that dick nites had turned some guys lures to different colors once the put it on.

What color and type of paint were they using?   Dick Nites is supposed to be a super clear finish.

[dampeoples]

i had heard that dick nites had turned some guys lures to different colors once the put it on.

What color and type of paint were they using?   Dick Nites is supposed to be a super clear finish.

That's it in a nutshell right there, there are lots and lots of scare stories, but not many facts! Was the paint dry, what kind of paint, etc, etc are all things to ask. The key to success is consistancy, out of three folks in this thread, you have three different topcoat answers (I use Dick Nite), and three different sytems, don't discount something because some retard was too impatient to read instructions, follow advice, or 'knows it all' and doesn't need help My suggestion would be to try several, and find one that suits your system, is easy for you to obtain, and is safest for your environment. Good luck!

[Munkin]

I use thinned Devcon but I plan on trying the Dick Nites.

Allen

[fishingdanderson]

Does anyone use the epoxy from Component Systems or their new 1 part DuraCoat?  Just curious.  I love their vinyl paint, but I haven't been able to spray it effectively because you have to thin it so much and that kind of defeats the purpose of the vinyl paint.  I was just curious about the CS stuff.

Dan

[CJ]

I use Devcon and ETec Lite.The ETec is thinner and has more working time.

Whittler and I had this discussion a couple years back.We both had tried alot of clearcoats.Epoxy was the only one that stood up to the test crankbaits are put through.Long-lasting durability,with a glass like finish.

I haven't had any troubles with epoxy hurting action.I really don't think it does.If the thickness or weight were a problem then some of the foil jobs I have done wouldn't have worked.One of my favorite cranks is a foil Wee R.I used 5 coats of devcon on that lure plus a thin layer of foil over tulling and it has good action.

[balsadestroyer]

I talked to a guy that custom paints hockey masks and motorcycle helmets and asked him what he uses as his clear coat.  He said that automotive finishes like PPG 4042 work well for him.  I'm going to get some and try it out, I'll post my results.  I figured if the clear coat is tough enough for a hockey player's mask then it must be tough enough for cranks.

[dampeoples]

It is a good clear, the reason more people don't use it is safety. The automotive clears contain icocynates, which is, like it sounds, poisonous. The stuff is absorbed into your lungs, as well as your skin on contact. Be mindful of the type of plastic that the baits are made of as well, I'm not up on plastics, but the catalyst in the clears generate lots of heat, and have the potential for melting the baits as well.

Like I said, there are lots and lots of things you can clear your baits with, you have to weigh the pro's and con's of each, and use the system you are comfortable, and safe, using. Good luck.

[balsadestroyer]

Doesn't really sound worth it.  Thanks for the heads up.

[dampeoples]

No problem. Lots of folks fail to mention the safety part Read up on them, they have new clears that have to meet a low VOC rule, probably set in California, they lead the way in pollution and such.

One thing to check, and ask for, is the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) on ANY chemical you're using, the manufacturer will have it if nobody else can help you, it will outline what you need to do to protect yourself from what you're using, as well as explain what's in the product you are using. ANY solvent clear is gonna be harmful, some more so than others, just don't ignore the risks.

I'm done preaching now